Yard Equipment News

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded nearly $39 million in grants to 12 marine highway projects across the Nation under the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). The funding will help expand marine highway services on the United States’ navigable waterways to reduce congestion, alleviate supply chain bottlenecks, and move goods more quickly from ships to shelves.“At a time of record demand for goods, it’s more important than ever to…

Commission Expresses Concerns about Puerto Rico Terminal Facilities Agreement.An agreement filed at the Federal Maritime Commission allowing a joint venture between two adjacent terminals at the Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, will go into effect on August 29. However, concerns about the agreement and its impact on the marketplace will lead the FMC to adopt a more vigorous oversight plan than its traditional monitoring program.Under the terms of the Puerto Nuevo Terminals LLC Cooperative Working Agreement (FMC Agreement No.

The Port of Oakland, a major container ship facility located in Oakland, California, in the San Francisco Bay, said that its Commissioners have approved an air quality plan intended to drastically cut diesel and greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the Port’s maritime operations.Christened as "Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan", it envisions a zero-emissions operation in the future. The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners voted last week to approve the 259-page plan.The Port said that the plan would provide a framework for maritime development for the next 30 years. The plan calls for changes in equipment, operations, fuels…

Malta Freeport Terminals welcomed the first ever LNG-powered container ship to visit Malta during the course of the vessel’s maiden voyage from Asia to Rotterdam.Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi, whose portfolio includes the Freeport Authority visited this ship to mark this special event.The mv Containerships Polar, operated by a subsidiary of leading shipping line CMA CGM, discharged over 560 containers during its call to Malta. Containerships Polar is the second in a series of four LNG-fuelled vessels put into service by CMA CGM.The use of LNG is fast gaining attention as it will reduce sulphur oxide emissions by 90 to 95 per cent as…

The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) flagship operation and the Philippines’ largest container terminal, capped 2016 with a milestone as it reached its first year-to-date two millionth TEU move last December. The MICT has an annual capacity of 2.75 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). The two millionth TEU container was offloaded from SITC Osaka, which is operated by Chinese megaliner SITC Container Lines. The container vessel originated from Ningbo in China. SITC is one of MICT’s longtime clients with regular vessel calls to the Port of Manila. MICT reached its first one million-TEU move back in December 2002. A ceremony held to commemorate the milestone was led by Christian R.

The Port of Los Angeles has received an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deploy green commercial equipment for moving cargo. The award will pay between 25 to 40 percent of the cost to replace and upgrade 18 pieces of yard equipment at two Los Angeles container terminals, with the full complement due to be in service by fall 2018. Two terminal operators, APM Terminals Pacific Ltd. and TraPac LLC, are funding the lion’s share of the $3 million project. APM Terminals will invest more than $2 million to replace 16 yard tractors with new equipment powered by Tier 4 clean diesel engines. TraPac will spend $174,000 to repower two heavy-duty forklifts with Tier 4 engines.

Aggressively deploying zero and near-zero emission trucks and cargo-handling equipment and expanding programs that reduce ship emissions are among the core strategies the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are proposing for the next version of San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP). Proposals also focus on freight infrastructure investment, innovation and technology to improve supply chain efficiency, comprehensive energy planning, and increased advocacy for stricter emissions standards and government incentives to help pay for projects that advance testing and commercialization of zero and near-zero emission vehicles. The updated CAAP provides one of California’s first opportunities to implement the vision laid out in the State’s Sustainable Freight Action Plan.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)—the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas — today is mourning the loss of one of Ohio’s most prominent politicians and citizens, George Voinovich, who died in his sleep early Sunday morning just weeks before his 80th birthday. According to AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle, the former Cleveland mayor, Ohio state representative and Ohio governor who later became one of the most popular U.S. senators of his generation, was instrumental in helping America’s ports enhance air quality in their communities. “Sen. Voinovich was a unifier who represented the best aspects of a dedicated public servant,” said Mr. Nagle. “Along with Brian Mormino, Sen.

DP World Australia's new 30,000 sqm Melbourne terminal expansion, at the former Bentley Chemplax site, was commissioned on Tuesday (15 March 2016), signalling the start of a suite of capital investment projects in 2016-17. The completion of the Bentley Chemplax site delivers an additional 450 ground slots or 100,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) of container capacity per annum, increasing the capacity of the terminal to 1.4m TEU per annum. The development is the terminal’s largest expansion project since 2010, and represents the first in a series of new investments in DP World Australia’s hardstand infrastructure, yard equipment and wharf assets. DP World Australia Chief Financial Officer, Jason Varsamidis, said: “We are investing in the future.

Shipping lines calling at the Port of Long Beach cut thousands of tons of air pollution last year by voluntarily participating in the Port's Green Flag Program, which offers financial rewards for ships that reduce their speed near the harbor to decrease emissions. The program, initiated 11 years ago as part of Long Beach's Green Port Policy, gives participants a Green Flag to celebrate their environmental accomplishments and dockage rate breaks to shipping lines slowing to 12 knots or less within 20 or 40 nautical miles of the Port. In 2015, 154 vessel operators met or exceeded the program’s required 90 percent participation rate at either 20 or 40 nautical miles.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) said today it is encouraged by the potential of significant gains for landside freight transportation programs in President Obama’s fiscal 2017 budget, bit is disappointed, however, in the proposed funding levels for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coastal navigation programs, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Port Security Grant program.

TT Club’s Phillip Emmanuel has put into perspective some of the “sensationalism” surrounding the recent growth trend in containerships. Speaking during a plenary session of the TOC Asia Conference in Singapore on Tuesday, he advised ports and terminals to take a measured approach to the risk management of their operations, looking carefully at the ramifications to their own facilities of potential larger ship calls. TT Club is positioned as an insurer of risks for container lines and cargo handling facilities to advise on the type and extent of exposure.

Cavotec announced it has received orders for its port technologies in Australia, Indonesia, Oman, Portugal and Turkey, and for two major shipping lines, with a combined value of more than EUR 11.5 million. Cavotec will supply eight MoorMaster automated mooring units for installation at a container berth at the Port of Salalah in Oman, where a number of MoorMaster units have been in service for several years. MoorMaster is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines.

Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd, India’s largest port developer and part of Adani Group, today announced that Minister for Transport and Rural Development, Mr. Foundation Stone for Adani Ennore Container Terminal laidor its container terminal at Ennore port. The terminal, which will be constructed in two phases, is expected to be commissioned in March 2016. On completion, it will be a 730 meter terminal, with 31.5 hectares of back area, and capable of handling 1.4 million TEUs annually. It will be South India’s first e-terminal and all-electric facility, offering paper-less operations and direct linkage with CFS and lines through Web Access and Automatic Gates, allowing seamless transit from CFS to the container yard. Speaking on the occasion, Mr.

The Port of Everett Seaport is adding additional lift capacity to its operations in March 2015, with the purchase of a new, 150-ton GHMK 7608 mobile harbor crane. The nearly $5.1 million investment, which was authorized by the Port Commission, will allow the Port of Everett to better accommodate its niche market of overdimensional cargoes, and provide opportunity to compete for new heavylift business. “We are investing in our infrastructure and cargo handling equipment to continue with our reputation of safe and excellent service, quick and efficient turnaround times and huge lift capacity,” said Carl Wollebek, the Port of Everett’s Chief Operating Officer.

The CMA CGM Group announced that it has signed with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India’s largest port developer and part of Adani Group, an agreement for the development of a new common user Container Terminal at Mundra Port. This will be the fourth Container Terminal in Mundra and will be a 650 meters terminal along with 27 hectares of back area capable of handling 1.3 million TEUs annually. Following this announcement, the construction phase will be initiated immediately and completion will be in a record 24 months.

CMA CGM Group has announced that it has signed with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India’s largest port developer and part of Adani Group, an agreement for the development of a new common user Container Terminal at Mundra Port. This will be the 4th Container Terminal in Mundra and will be a 650 meters terminal along with 27 hectares of back area capable of handling 1.3 million TEUs annually. Following this announcement, the construction phase will be initiated immediately and completion will be in a record 24 months. The project comprises design and construction of 650 meters jetty with a water depth of 16.5 meters. This world class terminal will initially have four units of 65 tonne capacity of Rail Mounted Quay Cranes capable of handling 18…

Gibdock completes a refit of the 12-streamer 3D seismic vessel 'WG Cook' for WesternGeco. WG Cook is one of six 12-streamer 3D seismic ships delivered to the owner in 2010. The 19-day project was completed on time and with no serious QHSE incidents in preparation for WG Cook’s deployment offshore Canada for a seismic survey. “The project was awarded on a competitive tender basis, while the location of the yard is also favourable for this project,” says Mick Richardson, WesternGeco Fleet Technical Manager.

Gibdock completed a refit of the seismic vessel WG Cook for WesternGeco. WG Cook is one of six 12-streamer 3D seismic ships delivered to the owner in 2010. The 19-day project was completed on time and with no serious QHSE incidents in preparation for WG Cook’s deployment offshore Canada for a seismic survey. Gibdock allocated its largest drydock to the project, allowing a variety of yard equipment to be deployed simultaneously. The dock’s heavy lifting capability was also a factor, with one of its three cranes being occupied continuously by a 5m exhaust extension and main mast modifications.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission certified the final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) intermodal railyard and approved a landmark rail infrastructure project that would increase the efficiency and competitiveness of moving containerized cargo through the nation’s busiest harbor complex to U.S. and global markets. “Modernizing our transportation infrastructure is crucial to creating jobs, strengthening our economy and improving our quality of life in Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino.

Three leading exponents of improved risk management in ports and container handling facilities have published recommended safety standards for container yard equipment. TT Club, PEMA and ICHCA International have identified additional safety devices that can be implemented on yard equipment, along with other operational changes in order to reduce injuries and fatalities as well as cargo, property and equipment damage. The three organizations have in the past united in campaigning for increased safety measures to be adopted to address common safety issues arising in quay crane operations. Now their attention turns to container yard equipment. “These headline findings point to a heavy concentration of avoidable incidents,” comments Laurence Jones, TT Club’s Director of Global Risk Assessment.

Crowley Maritime Corporation announced that Jose "Pache" Ayala has been promoted to general manager of operations for the company's liner services group in Puerto Rico. In this role, he will direct port operations, equipment control, information technology and materials management, and he will have responsibilities in finance and administration. Ayala will be domiciled in San Juan and will report to Rudy Leming, Crowley's vice president of marine and terminal operations in Jacksonville, Fla.

The has posted the Re-circulated Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/DEIR) for the proposed Berth 97-109 Container Terminal Project (China Shipping). With the posting of the draft document, a public comment period is now in effect until close of business day June 30, 2008. The Port will hold a public meeting on June 5, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at Banning’s , , in . At the meeting, Port staff will present an overview of the proposed project and receive ublic comments. The DEIS/DEIR is a re-circulation of the original DEIS/DEIR released in 2006. It includes a re-assessment of existing project components, assessment of proposed components, and new environmental measures in response to community feedback on the previously released DEIS/DEIR.